Le monde des musicals

Musical (2015)

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Musique: John Kander •
Paroles: Fred Ebb •
Livret: Terrence McNally •
Production à la création:

Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 satirical play about greed and revenge Der Besuch der alten Dame, it focuses on one of the world's wealthiest women, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her financially depressed hometown and offers its residents a new lease on life in exchange for the murder of Anton Schell, the man who abandoned her years ago.

The town of Brachen, Switzerland is down on it's luck, with businesses failing by the day. When the locals hear of the return of their most famous and richest daughter, the oft- widowed Claire Zachanassian (Chita Rivera), they predict their fortunes are changing, along with their bank balances.

But Claire, now the world's wealthiest woman, has more than just a trip down memory lane in mind. She has a proposition for Brachen, for all the residents; to execute one of their own, the boy, (Anton, now a married shopkeeper,) who broke her heart all those years ago. Will they accept her deal and sacrifice their morality for a (very generous) handout, or will this town of ordinary people be able to see right from wrong?

The musical received five 2015 Tony Award nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Rivera), and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Japhy Weideman). However, it failed to win any.

The musical received seven Drama Desk Award nominations for 2015: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Set Design (Scott Pask) and Outstanding Director of a Musical but won none.

1 Visit (The) est une adaption à la scène d'une oeuvre littéraire: "Der Besuch der alten Dame" de Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1956).

"Der Besuch der alten Dame" de Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1956)

The musical adaptation of The Visit was originally developed as a vehicle for Angela Lansbury and was scheduled for a Broadway opening on March 15, 2001. It had been scheduled for a try-out in Boston for December 2000–January 2001. Frank Galati was the director with Ann Reinking as choreographer, and co-starring Philip Bosco. However, in July 2000 Lansbury withdrew due to the illness and subsequent death of her husband.

Chicago, 2001
Chita Rivera was signed as Lansbury's replacement and the musical, directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Ann Reinking, was staged with Rivera and John McMartin by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, opening on October 1, 2001. Galati said that because of the September 11, 2001 attacks the show did not move to Broadway: "It was generally a success, but we couldn't get anyone from New York or California to see it. People weren't flying." In that climate, he says, "the whole idea of moving a very dark parable about human greed, the dark side of human nature," was difficult. Reinking said: "By the time you really could travel and people felt safe again, our run was up." Regional theatre productions were considered as an alternative, while McNally rewrote the book. Then, in late 2003, The Public Theater announced it was mounting an off-Broadway production with Rivera and Frank Langella early the following year, but that too was cancelled when financing fell through.

Signature Theatre, 2008
The Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia production of The Visit, began previews on May 13, 2008, officially opened on May 27 and ran through June 22. With direction by Frank Galati and choreography by Ann Reinking, Rivera was once again in the lead, with co-stars George Hearn and Mark Jacoby. Prior to this production, a closed reading was held on February 19, 2008, with, among others, Jayne Houdyshell, Florence Lacey, and Jason Danieley, joining Rivera, Hearn and Mark Jacoby.

Concert, 2011
On November 30, 2011, Rivera and John Cullum, directed by Carl Andress, starred in a stage concert at the Ambassador Theatre, presented by The Actors Fund and The Vineyard Theatre.

Williamstown Theatre Festival, 2014
A one-act version appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, (Massachusetts) running from July 31, 2014 to August 17. The cast featured Chita Rivera, Jason Danieley, Judy Kuhn, Roger Rees, Diana DiMarzio, David Garrison, Michelle Veintimilla and Rick Holmes, with direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele. Music Direction was by David Loud who has served as Music Director for each incarnation of the show.

Broadway, 2015
The "one-act" version of The Visit which was presented at the Williamstown Theatre Festival began Broadway previews on March 26, 2015 and premiered on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre on April 23, 2015. Chita Rivera and Roger Rees starred, with direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele. The production closed on June 14, 2015. Tom Nelis took over the role of Anton when Rees became ill.

"Prelude"
"Out of the Darkness" — Townspeople
"At Last" — Claire, Townspeople
"I Walk Away" — Claire, Louis Perch, Jacob Chicken, Rudi
"I Know Claire" — Anton
"A Happy Ending" — Mayor, Priest, Doctor, Police Chief, School Master, Townspeople
"You, You, You" — Anton, Claire
"I Must Have Been Something" — Anton
"Look at Me" — Claire, Anton, Young Claire, Young Anton
"A Masque" — Mayor, Townspeople
"Eunuch's Testimony" — Jacob Chicken, Louis Perch
"Winter" — Claire
"Yellow Shoes" — Doctor, Townspeople
"A Confession" — Claire, All
"I Would Never Leave You" — Rudi, Louis Perch, Jacob Chicken, Claire
"Back and Forth" — Matilda, Ottillie, Karl
"The Only One" —Frederich Kuhn
"Fear" — Anton
"A Car Ride" — Anton, Matilda, Karl, Ottillie, Young Anton, Young Claire
"Love and Love Alone" — Claire
"In the Forest Again" — Anton, Claire, Young Anton, Young Claire
"Finale" — Townspeople

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